Radium Bulbs and Ballasts??

[thirst]

I am currently using galaxy ballast for my radium. What observable difference should I see if I switched to an M80 ballast? Is there a recommended M80 ballast? Does it get brighter? Whiter? SLS? Hamilton?

How much more electricity would this use?

Thanks for your help

 

[James77]

It will most likely get a bit whiter and brighter, although I have not seen a galaxy/radium in person. I know the galaxy ballasts were supposedly made for Radiums, however they still underdrive the bulb.

SLS and PFO are usually the recommended ballasts, but PFO is out of business-so SLS it is . I have a newer one, and it works great- dead silent once it starts up. I've heard AquaMedic makes a good HQI ballast.

Sanjays sight shows them pulling 333 watts from the wall with a M80 ballast running a Radium

 

[DarG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15341468#post15341468 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thirst
I am currently using galaxy ballast for my radium. What observable difference should I see if I switched to an M80 ballast? Is there a recommended M80 ballast? Does it get brighter? Whiter? SLS? Hamilton?

How much more electricity would this use?

Thanks for your help

SLS now uses Chinese components in their ballast, they used to use Advance components. Most reports on the Chinese equipped SLS have been fine though as far as performance although there could possibly be an issue with the OP's unit in this thread.
Check reefgeek ... major clearance deal on them but better hurry. Under 200 for the dual M80.

Hamilton still makes them ... not sure of the components used now but they used the be Advance.

Aquamedic has the cool, fan cooled cube M80's ... all american ballast components. Probably Advance.